Neutron methods and techniques for research

Neutron scattering

Neutron scattering is a means to study the structure, dynamics (movement of atoms) and the compositions of materials.

Just like a beam of light, X-rays or electrons, when a neutron beam interacts with a sample, three possible phenomena can take place: either the neutrons just go through the sample – transmission- or they are captured by the sample – absorption- or their propagation is deviated with respected to the original direction – scattering.

The scattering process can be either elastic (no exchange of energy between neutrons and sample) or inelastic (exchange of energy with the sample): in the first case we speak about diffraction, whereas in the second case we speak about spectroscopy.

Below is a list of neutron methods. You can browse the links on the left for more information about each topic.

Elastic neutron scattering

During elastic neutron scattering, there is no energy loss to or from the the atoms in the sample studied.

Inelastic neutron scattering

An important characteristic of neutrons is that they can lose or gain energy to or from the atom they bounce against during scattering. This phenomenon, called inelastic scattering will set the atoms in motion, and can therefore reveal their motion patterns.